September 2020

Education

State auditor blasts UC for admitting unqualified students based on wealthy connections

The state auditor found a lot of holes in the way the University of California conducts its admissions process, from inappropriate donor influence to questionable student athlete decisions. The state audit also disagrees with the UC’s internal audit.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 22, 2020

WhatMatters

Inside California’s declining unemployment rate

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, September 22. Leisure, hospitality hit hard As California settles into its sixth month of the pandemic, unemployment levels appear to be dropping — a spot of bright news for residents and the state’s embattled unemployment department alike — though the numbers belie a more complex and uncertain reality. The Golden […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 22, 2020

Commentary

Newsom should sign police reform bill granting civilian oversight of sheriff’s departments

One police reform bill on the governor’s desk can make a significant impact on the civilian oversight of sheriff departments.

By Guest Commentary • September 22, 2020

Capitol

High school ethnic studies bill would benefit all students and foster stronger race relations

Ethnic studies recognizes the racial injustices that have occurred so that people can be empowered to work toward the American ideal of fair opportunity.

By Guest Commentary • September 22, 2020

Commentary

California’s job numbers aren’t good

California's new job numbers look positive, until one delves into the details.

By Dan Walters • September 22, 2020

CalMatters en Español

Los obstáculos que enfrentan los niños de California, explicados.

Hello! We’re publishing more of our work in Spanish to better serve our diverse state. Make sure to click here to read the article in English. California es el hogar de más de 9 millones de niños, muchos de ellos hambrientos, pobres y con dificultades para acceder a servicios de salud y educación de calidad. Los defensores […]

By Elizabeth Aguilera • September 21, 2020

CalMatters en Español

Opinión: Abolir el Colegio Electoral o conceder electores en forma proporcional

He aquí el motivo por el cual California, a pesar de contar con 55 votos electorales, no importa mucho a la hora de elegir al presidente de los Estados Unidos.

By Guest Commentary • September 21, 2020

WhatMatters

10,000 unemployment claims backlogged per day — claims paused for 2 weeks

Planning on applying for unemployment benefits? Well, you won’t be able to do so for the next two weeks. California’s beleaguered unemployment department is putting a pause on new claims until Oct. 5 to give it time to implement an automatic identity-verification tool to speed up processing times. The move follows recommendations outlined in a […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 21, 2020

Commentary

Abolish the Electoral College or award electors on a proportional basis

Here’s why California, with our 55 electoral votes, is largely useless when it comes to picking the president of the United States.

By Guest Commentary • September 21, 2020

Coronavirus

The hurdles facing California kids, explained

Lea este artículo en español. California is home to more than 9 million children, many of them hungry, poor and struggling to access health care and quality education. Child advocates were hoping for change with Gov. Gavin Newsom and his attention to early childhood development and education, plans for universal preschool and desire to give extra […]

By Elizabeth Aguilera • September 21, 2020